Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. OLIPHANT.

' Breach-'Loading Fire-Arm.

Patented Jan. `13, 1863'.

UNITED STATES PATENT tries..

JOHN OLIIHANT, QF UNIONTOWN, PENSYLVANIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,1107, dated January 13, 1863.

VTo all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN OLIPHANT, of Uniontown, Fayette county, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved .Fire-Arm; and I do hereby declare that the fgllowing is a full and eXact description there- O 7 drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consistsin so constructing the breech portion and the lock of the gun as to insure great rapidity in loading and discharging the same, as well as in se-` curing the full effective force of the powder, by avoiding the leakage at the joint formed by the abutting together of the charge-chamber and the barrel, common to the present method of constructing breech-loading rearms.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use niy invention, I will proceed to de scribe its construction and operation, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the gun; Fig. 2, a plan or top view of same; Fig. 3, a vertical -section of same .with lock removed; Fig'. 4, another vertical section of same with the cam E elevated and the charge-cham' ber I) withdrawn and elevated, ready to receive a charge; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the charge-chamber detached from the gun, showing the nipple s and -the male socket g. Fig. 7 is a top view of same with bore and the arrangement of the trunnionpinr and nipple s indicated in dotted lines; Fig. 6, a perspective View of the front part of the breech-yoke C C', showing the side slots, e f e f; Fig. 8, a side and edge view of the nipple-guard detached; Fig. 9, an outside detached view of the lock; Fig. 10, an inside view of the same; Fig. 11, a front end view of the same; Fig. 12, a top view of the same with the side plates removed to permit the interior arrangement of the parts y to be clearly seen; Fig. 13, an Velevation and a section of the trigger; Fig. 14, view of a combined cock and tumbler with both side and edge View of the latter, showing clearly the cam-shaped portion f of the projection part thereof; Fig. 15, three views of the scar, showing the camshaped device g plainly; Fig. 16, a plan view of the adjustable hind sight; Fic. 17, a view of the under side of the sight;

reference being had to the accompanying Fig. 1 8, a side view of the' same, showing the sight in an elevated. position. v

Similar letters and reference-marks applyto similar parts in all the drawings.

In Plate 1, A A represent the stock, which is made in theuSual manner. B B represent the barrel', constructed ,in the ordinary manner and screwed or otherwise fastened into the breech-.yoke C C, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. C C is a metallic breech-yoke or boxing, as represented in the form of a parallelopiped, having a large square mortise lor slot, a l c d, Fig. 2, cut vertically through it, and two smaller horizontal slots, e f e f, Fig. 6, cut through its sides. The front end, C', is also drilled out in the directionof its longest axis t', the bore of this part 7c, Fig. 6, being made larger than the bore of the barrel m, and passing through to the opening made by the slot a b c The outer or forward half (more or less) is cut in the form of a female screw, n, to iit a corresponding male screw, fn', on the rear portionV of the barrel B, for the purpose `of uniting the two together." The inner portion of the bore, which is left smooth, then forms a female socket, h, Fig. 4, which corresponds with the male socket g of the chargechamber I), which fits neatly into it. D D is the charge-chamber, fitting neatly into the front part of the breechyoke slot, in which it Works. It is formed of metallic block drilled out to form the charge-chamber o, and turned down at the front end to form the socketg,

which may be left to project a fourth of an inch or more from the shoulder p, Fig. 5, and left thick enough `to give it the necessary strength to resist the expansive force of the charge. Through its rear end passes the steel pin v', Figs. 4, 5, 7, forming the bearings lor trunnions upon which it vibrates. These slide back and forth in the slots ef ef, as the chamber is withdrawn from or pushed forward into the socket h, as seen in Figs. 4 and 3. On one end of this steel pin is formed the cap-nipple s, having a communication with the charge-chamber o. A projecting pin, X, is also firmly attached to the under side of the charge-chamber, by which it is readily withdrawn from the socket h and elevated for the purpose of charging, as seen at Fig. 4. E E is a metallic cam-shaped block placed in the rear of the charge-chamber, fitting neatly into the rear portion of the breech-yoke slot, and vi` brating on the pin t in rising to permit the 14. 'The trigger G', Fig. 13, is provided with withdrawal of the charge-chamber D from the a steel pin, G", moving freely through a very socket h, as in Fig. 4, or in closing down to tical hole, as shown in section No. 2 of Fig. keep it iirmly in place, as in Fig. 3. The front 13, and is kept in the projecting position end of .this cam u forms the arc of-a circle shown by the action of the spring gf. They having its` center ashort distance above the plane of motion of the trigger G' is at right pin t, which gives it the action of a cam or angles to the plane of motion of the hammer wedge in forcing it down against the rear end and tumbler, as is clearly seen at Figs. 9, 10, of the charge-chamber, thus securing a firm. and 12. The trigger is kept in position by and tight joint between ythe charge-chamber the springt", Fig. 10. The sear G, working and the barrel. This cam' is provided on the on the pivot p', has one end, w', pawl-shaped under side with the bell-crank or triggerto engage in the tumbler-notches in the usual: shaped lever V, working Von the fulcrum W, Smanner,n and at the otherend is a cam, g', the :"so asto throw it up out of the breech-yoke C inclined plane of which works against the side after a discharge, in order to permit the withof the rear end, S', of the' trigger G'. p drawal of the charge-chamber, indoing which n' is the .mainspring, and h"'- is the searthe lever is again Vthrown into place, as at spring. These may be separate or combined Fig. 4. in any approved form, the whole forming a In Fig. 1, y is a nipple-guard, (more clearly lock of great simplicity and durability, and, shown in side and edge views at Fig. 8,) in iulcombination with the other parts of the gun, which z' represents-a slot which slides on the insuring great rapidity in loading and disscrew z. y" y" are pieces, one of which works charging the same, as well as great effectiveon each 'side of the nipples. They are suiness and projectile force and accuracy of aim. ciently thick that when slid under the ham- The operation of the above invention is as mer, as in Fig. 1, they-prevent it from touchfollows: The gun being in the position repreing the nipple, and thusv prevent the accisented in Figs. 1 and 3, to load the same the dental discharge of the load. Y When intended trigger-finger is applied to the lever v, projectto be fired, this guard is drawn forward by the ing beneath,which is-drawn backward until the application ofthe thumb to the projection z", cam Eis thrown up out of place. The nger is provided for that purpose, when the side then appliedto the pin X, which is alsodrawn pieces, y, pass from under the hammer, and backward untilthe male socket gof thechargeallow it to strike the percussion-cap or other chamber is released from the female socket h` primer used. of the yoke or barrel, when the pin is forced To make the weapon more complete and efupward, throwing the charge-chamber D out fective, as well asto render ei'ective the arof the breech-yoke, and presenting it in aconrangement of a charge-chamber having a movvenient position for loading, as shown at Fig. able nipple, as described, and also to expedite 4. The charge, which may be in the ordinary the discharge of the piece, a 'modification of form of powder and ball, or any of the suitthe lock becomes necessary. This consists in able forms of prepared cartridge now in use, placing the hammer on one side instead of on is inserted into the chamber o, which is then the top of the gun, thus affording also a better forced down into place and moved forward unopportunity of arranging the sights on the gun til the sockets are close joined. The cam E is and for taking aim; also, an arrangement of then forced down into place and the cap or the lock by which the hammer can be-operated other primer applied. If the piece is not to by the trigger with or without cocking the be immediately. red, the nipple-guard is left same, and thus inmoments of greatemergency drawn back under the hammer, as in Fig. 1;

dispensing `with the se arate operation of but if intended to be fired without' delay, the

cock1ng, but permit ,ing o`ri occasions ofk `nipple-guard@ is pushed forward to'allow the more le1sure,when.accuraey of aim is the'obhammer to touch the nipple and explode the ject, the plece to be cocked by hand in the primer.

usual manner. v The action of the lock is as' follows: If it e To permit the withdrawal of the nipple from is desired to use the lock .inthe ordinary way under the" hammer without the necessity of by first cooking, th cock should be drawn raising the hammer, a portion of its flange or back as usual until the pawl w' catches in the rim m' at F', Fig.` 10, is removed, thus aordsecond tumbler-notch. 0n drawing the triging no obstruction `.to the nipple in moving ger 2, the side of the rear part, s', of the trigback and forth with the charge-chamber to ger G impinges upon the inclined plane or which 1t 1s attached, as described. .cam g' of the -sear G, thereby disengaging the .The lock, of which' H H I is the case, G' the pawl w' from the'tnmbler-notch, when the retrigger, fthe tumbler, and G thesear, is concoil of the mainspring h"'causes -the tumbler struct'ed with the hammer or cock and tumbler f to revolve and the hammer to strike the nip- .combined in one piece, and besides the usual ple, the steel-pin `G" having immediately besearnotches and other parts common to tumfore passed beyond the sweep of the cam f. blers 1t has the projection n', Fig. 14, which The action of the springt in causingthe reis beveled oi to' a wedge shape toward the turn of the trigger to its' place azerthe dis- `front; part, asis clearly shown at No. A2 of Fig. charge also causes the beveled end G of the steel pin to slide up and over the inclined plane f, when the action of the spring g restores it to its position behind the projection n of the cam f, as in Figs. 12, 1Q.

Vhen the lock is to be operated by means of the trigger alone without cocking by hand, the operation is as follows: On drawing the trigger,the pin G engages the projection n of the cam f, and pushes it forward until they pass beyond the range of their sweeps7 when they pass each other, and are liberated. The recoil of the mainspring returns the tumbler violently to its normal position, the rear end of the trigger meanwhile holding the scar G so far back as to prevent the pawlw engaging in the tumbler-notches as they pass by it. After the discharge the trigger and its pin G return to the position shown in Figs. 12 and 10, as above described.

A trigger-guard of any approved form is to be employed to protect the trigger 2 and the cam-lever c from accidental disturbance.

The principal advantages secured by this weapon is the attainment of great rapidity in loading and firing, as well as insuring the greatest effective force of the powder, by the prevention of all leakage from the almost airtight sleeve or socket joint here employed.

An experiment with this gun has given the most satisfactory results, evincing after twenty discharges no liability to foul in the socketjoint, and showing a projectile force equal to the penetration of flve inches of solid oak timber.

The improvements herein described are also applicable to any of the guns now in use, whether smooth-bore, riie, or shot guns, and also to ordnance. The principles may also be applied in other forms-for instance, to an upright, as well as a side hammer. I prefer the latter, as affording a clear and uninterrupted View over and along the barrel, and being more favorable for the arrangement thereon of my adjustable hind sight, which is constructed so as to permit of such adjustment as will adapt it to the various distances required 1n an easy and expeditious manner. This sight is constructed with the dovetail cleat 1, Figs.

16, 17, and 18, which fastens the part 2 and cars or side guides, 3, firmly to the barrel in the usual manner. I-Iinged to and working neatly between the guide-pieces 3 on the pin 4 is the sight-piece 5. The rear end of which is provided with a notch-sight, 6, as shown, and the hinge end with the'projection 7 which is acted on by the spring 8, tending to keep the sight constantly pressing toward the bars rel, and thus keepingl the brace-pawl 12 in place in any of the notches in which it may be adj usted. The slide 9 is further provided, which, when pushed close against the sightpiece, secures it from casual movement in any required position. The brace 10 is hinged at 11, and is provided with a pawl-shaped end, 12, to catch and hold in the notches marked 300, 400, ac., which notches and figures may be made on the barrel itself or on a separate piece attached to the sight. In using this sight, it is to be elevated until the pawl 12 of the brace 10 falls into the notch marked with the figures corresponding with the distance of the target, where it is then held by the action of the spring 8, and further secured by the slide 9.

Having thus fully described my invention., what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The steel pin r, provided with the nipple s, in combination with a vibrating reciprocating charge-chamber, as described.

2. The hammer F, constructed with the 'flange m', arranged as described, working on the side of the gun, in combination with a reciprocatory nipple, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. The cam f, attached to the tumbler of a gun -lock, in combination with the sliding steel pin G, constructed and operating substantially as described.

fi. The cam g,attached to the sear of a gunlock, in combination with the trigger G', the steel sliding pin G, and the cam-shaped projection f, substantially as and for the purposes described.

" JNO. OLIPHANT.

Vitnesses J. M. HUsrnAD, GoDFREY CRAMER. 

